Playmat time

Some time each day on the playmat has Mabel getting some reps in lifting her head and trying to turn over. When she gets frustrated there, we roll her over to enjoy the weird things hanging over the playmat. Eventually she'll near meltdown, letting us know her time is up.



*The HD link will take you to Vimeo where you can view the short clip is all its mediocre glory.

Mabel has been practicing her best behavior in preparation for her grandparents arrival this Wednesday.

Gaining Makalu's acceptance

We hit a similar milestone when we added Ama to the house, where Mak decided she wasn't so terrible and he'd allow her on the couch. It has been a warmer reception for Mabel with little kisses and lots of sniffing, but this was an unexpected, welcome event.
And Mak very rarely will sleep on Ama. We're viewing this as a good step.

Fin de semana

I was back at work for the week, leaving Kate and Mabel to get along - which they did quite well. The girls club has formed.

Today everyone loaded up for a trip to the dog park - the dogs loved it, Kate and Mabel made a brief appearance and headed back to the car for some snacks.
Also, lined up a dog-sitter for both Thanksgiving and Christmas which will allow us to visit family while the dogs get to hang-out at home. Too bad family is so far away - no direct flights even - but we'll figure it out.

Good News!

Mabel had her 2 week doctor appointment today. By 2 weeks babies are supposed to be back to their birth weight so checking that was a big part of the appointment. It's not a surprise that I had been worried about this for the last week. I was convinced that she wasn't getting enough food from me and that she was slowly wilting away.

Well, good news! She weighed 8 lb 5 oz today!! Whoo hooo! She also is now 20.25 inches, so she's growing like a weed. The doctor said now we can sit back and enjoy her. She could clearly tell that I had the standard new mom worry regarding weight gain.

We have another appointment in 2 weeks then we are on a monthly appointment schedule. She starts getting her vaccinations at the 2 month appointment so I have a couple more appointments before I start crying as they poke my baby.

Two Weeks

Mabel turned two weeks old yesterday. No party or fanfare, but we are pretty happy we managed to keep her alive and seemingly happy for that long. Go us!

Today we started the day with some tummy time on her playmat. I flipped her over and let her check out the playmat and all its glory from her back and she was very amused. She just chilled there for about 20 minutes staring at all the shapes and colors.


We also went on a nice long walk down the hill to the store where the new mothers class is held...only for me to remember when we arrived that the class is held on Tuesday and Wednesday, not Tuesday and Thursday. So, we hoofed it back home. Mabel was a trooper even though she was very hungry during the trip. I'll try not to make that mistake again.

And here is the face I stare at all day. I'm amazed I haven't eaten her up yet because she is so cute. Family: Get here soon or there may be bites missing from her chewable cheeks!

Another good day

Today was Day 2 alone with baby. It went well. We napped for 2 hours this morning (which was must needed after a night with little sleep) for a nice start. Mabel got a nice bath and a wardrobe change after a small poo incident. We then went to a two hour First Months class at a local birth store. It is a class for parents with kids 0 - 12 weeks. It basically is a chance to ask questions, talk about what is going on with the kids, and get reassurance that everything that is happening is normal. It is also a nice chance to talk to other people in the same new mom situation.

When we got home Mabel napped and lounged with her Boppy. She looks comfy to me!

Alone time

Today is my first day home alone with Mabel. Brett had to head back to work so we can afford diapers for our little lady, so it's mom and Mabel all day/every day. It is going well so far. Just a lot of eating and sleeping.

I made a list of things to do today to keep me from just sitting around holding her all day. Three of the four tasks have been completed so I'm feeling mildly productive and human. Not that these are major tasks - number one on the list was to shower - but they are tasks none the less.

We did have a fun poo incident I'm sure everyone wants to read about. Darling Mabel stuck her feet in her poo as I was changing her. As I cleaned that up she peed all over herself and the changing pad. As I cleaned that up she poo'd all over herself and the changing pad. I was cracking up and she was staring at her crazy mama - but at least she wasn't crying or pooing more!

11 Days

It has been a gorgeous weekend in Seattle and we've been outside a bit. Kate and Mabel are both fans of the Moby wrap.
Today we walked down the hill for lunch at The Essential Baking Company in Madison Park, where we snagged an outside seat.

Snapped a family portrait, minus the dogs, on the way back up:

To make it up to the dogs, we picked up some PB & Honey frozen dog treats at the pet store. First time trying them and they were popular.

The baby awakes

Last night was not the best night of sleep for anybody. Mabel was up most of the night, giving mom almost no breaks and fussing in down time. Her appetite is welcome, even if it means long nights.

Weight check this morning went well, having gained a bit, returning to hospital discharge weight. These weight checks are made with a nude baby, so I took her diaper off as she went into the scale, only to find she needed a change. A 10 foot walk back to the room for a new diaper, I figured we were fine. And then Mabel peed all over me. And the table in the room after I put her down. And kept peeing. It was a lot of pee for a little baby. Fortunately, she was weighed full. Kate and I were laughing, grabbing as many paper towels as we could. Lesson learned.

Next appointment is in a week to again re-check weight. At that point we will finally be in to see the pediatrician we'd wanted, as she has been on vacation this week.

Everyone is stealing naps now in preparation for another long night.

Quiet day

Day 8 was nice and quiet. Seattle cooled down and it was nice day to be outside. Took a long walk up to a nearby park and lunched. Wandered back and called it a day.

Later, our neighbor brought us some homemade Indian food that was amazingly good. If there had been more, I would've kept eating. I plan to dream about it.

Tomorrow morning we have a weight re-check with the pediatrician. Based on how well she has been eating and dirtying diapers - typically when I'm holding her - we're hopeful that she has rounded the corner and is gaining.

Bjorn time

Cousins Todd and Stacey had given us a Baby Bjorn Babysitter chair and it is great. Light and easy to move around, it is a perfect place to put her down and she can still bounce a bit. She still has some room to grow into it, but it is a hit.

First family visit

Uncle Dale and Aunt Suzanne were passing through town on an epic road-trip from Boston to their new home in San Francisco made via Canada. They are the first family members to meet Mabel.
Dale grew somewhat more comfortable holding her, especially as she lay more still. When she started fussing, she was handed back.Next expected family visitors are my parents in just under two weeks.

Belly time and gazing

A little belly time for Mabel with mom looking on.
Gazing at a sleeping, happy - that is full of milk - baby.

One week old

Hard to believe, but Mabel is a week old. OK, not all that hard to believe, but for us time seems to have been going really quickly. Not always, but since she has started eating better life has in general improved.

I was jonesing for a dutch baby pancake this morning, so I made Kate and I one - they were tasty.
I had the dumpy one.




Next, we packed up the car for a field trip with the dogs to a park on Mercer Island. The dogs and I split off from Kate and Mabel for some swimming and romping while the ladies ambled and found some shade. Did I mention it is hot out? Quite.

Swung back home, dropped off the dogs, and walked down the street to Vios, our local Greek restaurant. Kate got her second fill of the Greek salad she was not allowed to have during the pregnancy due to the feta cheese. Mabel napped.

Speaking of food fixes, last night we did sushi carry-out - another food item, previously forbidden - and ordered enough food for a family of 6. A great mistake. Mabel napped.

Day 6

Had our best night yet, Mabel sleeping in her moses basket when she wasn't nursing. Everyone woke up in a pretty good way.

As Seattle heats up for tomorrow when it might hit 90, I took Mabel and the dogs on a walk again today, making use of our Ergo carrier. Dropped the dogs off and Kate, Mabel and I walked up for a lactation consultant visit. Kate got to use her Moby wrap for the first time and thought it worked well. The consultation was helpful and Mabel probably had more milk in our hour visit than in any other feeding. She was majorly milk drunk. And that is what we consider a successful day anymore.

Picked up our CSA box so we have some fresh veggies again - we'd missed our pickup last week.

Hoping tonight goes well and that the lactation lessons stick.

Adventure of the Day

Mabel had a big day 5.

First, we had a doctor appointment. I was concerned that she had jaundice but the doctor said she is perfectly healthy. She had her second heel prick test, head measured, weight done, length checked. We go back Friday for a weight check.


Second, we went to Panera for breakfast. We sat outside and Mabel did well in her seat.

Third, it was on to Best Buy where dad bought Mabel her first stereo for her room. We all knew his audio addiction would come out in full force with the babe.



Finally, on to Babies R Us where we got Mabel a swing. We had to try them out and see which one she liked. We think we have a winner. She definitely likes the swinging motion though, so I'm sure we could have picked any and it would have been ok.


Swing - blooper video
It certainly was a lot for a 5 day old, but we checked with the doctor who confirmed it is fine to take Mabel out and about as long as we are reasonable about it. No malls, no places where strangers want to touch her, etc. Walks, trips to the park, time spent outside is all good for her.

More Pictures

Daddy B had the camera out today and here are some of the results. Mabel looks fairly stunned in some of the pics but that is just her "active alert" face.

Home

The family is all home together! Mabel is doing well. Brett and I are probably not doing quite as well as she is, but we are learning a lot and starting to figure stuff out. We have learned that she eats, sleeps, cries, and sometimes poops/pees. Not a wide variety but you never know which one is coming next.

We went on our first family walk today. Mabel seemed to enjoy being outside. That gives Brett high hopes she will get his love of the outdoors.


The dogs are doing well with the baby. Mak has given her a few gentle kisses and Ama comes running to her side every time she cries. We are being cautious, but both seem to like her.

Discharged

Lactation consultant, hearing test, doctor checks, vaccines, all forms are in...all set.

Off to get the car and bring everyone home.

A happy room

The hospital suite has turned nursery; stress and nervous energy have changed over to naps, nursing practice, and diaper changes. 3 diapers so far today, more than expected and a good indicator that her plumbing is getting set for some milk. We've learned that the first few days that long naps are typical, and welcome, giving Kate time to sleep. They are also going to disappear, leaving us to learn some new scheduling tricks. Lots of lots of new things to learn.

We're expecting some visitors today and my brother and his girlfriend should be through town sometime in the next few days so that he can meet his niece. The first of the family to meet her.

Kate and Mabel will be discharged Friday, giving them some extra time to get the swing of things. I've already run home once to tell the dogs the good news and to clean up a bit, and expect to make a few more laps. So nice to be 3 blocks from the hospital! Tomorrow, I'll be driving up so we can have our car seat inspected and so that Kate, deservedly sore, can have a ride down the hill. Will be great to have everyone at home, but there is no rush.

Introducing: Mabel Taylor Muzzey

Mabel Taylor Muzzey
Delivered without complications, August 12th @ 22:22 pst
Female, 10 fingers, 10 toes, 2 blue eyes
8 lbs 3.1 oz
19.5 inches long

Mother and daughter are doing great, practicing their latch, while dad hones diaper skills.

Time to push

8 cm!

New shift of docs and the OB who filed the induction orders on Sunday just checked Kate - 8 cm!! Also said that she and Conway are looking good. Even let Kate take off the oxygen mask she has been sporting since 2:30.

Helpful morale boost, along with all the friends who are following along at home, offering their support.

And wait...

Some irregular patterns continue in the monitoring. If and when it settles down into a somewhat regular pattern there will be another check on dilation. If things don't become regular, not sure when they make the next check. So we wait, Kate with InStyle and Conway swimming around happy.

Also just changing over to our third nurse, Amanda. Susan our day nurse and was great.

4 cm

6 pm finds Kate at 4 cm and an IUPC added to her bevy of devices. Contractions are good and strong which the IUPC helps to confirm as well as to tune Pitocin levels.

About to get a new instrument

Sounds as though the docs are going to propose adding a Intrauterine Pressure Catheter (IUPC) to the mix so they can measure the force of Kate's contractions more accurately. That should allow them to better determine the Pitocin levels and to see if we continue on this path...

5 o'clock and still napping

Little concern about some blood flow to Conway based on some patterns on the fetal monitor, but not taking any corrective actions yet. Otherwise, Conway is active and seems good. Kate is sleeping and much more comfortable.

Aaaahhh...epidural time

After a second round in the tub, contractions were increasingly frequent and painful with no measurable dilation gains. To keep things moving, it was time to introduce Pitocin. As the contractions were already taking their toll and Pitocin increases contractions frequency and severity, it was time to go for the epidural.
Kate is now hooked up to every gadget in the room and then some, but she is sleeping which she really needed.

There is no telling how Kate and the Pitocin will do, so it will be a few hours before we know our next course of action.

A restful bath

Moved to the tub for almost a hour to help ease things and slow things down a bit. Helped a bit.
After a quick lap around the floor, back to the suite. Feeling pretty good.
And a few minutes later, the contractions came back in full effect.

2.5cm

Doc is happy with progress so far. 2.5cm dilated and mostly thinned. Laps around the room with frequent breaks during contractions to lean over something, as they grow stronger.

Contractions

Since 5:15 am, contractions have been picking up. The Cervidil is now out having gotten things rolling enough. Kate hasn't been rechecked yet, but based on the frequency/duration of contractions and her water breaking, they felt things were well underway.

Broken waters

"It is like not peeing pee." -Kate

The initial meds have things rolling.

Settled in and first meds

After a day of waiting at home while the hospital staff delivered 7 babies, we got in just after 7:30 pm. And the wait was worth it as we scored a monster corner suite. Gigantic!
We have a nice nurse who got us settled in and hooked Kate up to heart rate monitors. Not currently on blood pressure cuff and hopefully the only blood draw has been done.

An exam found that Kate is 1cm dilated as the doctor was adding Cervidil to help ripen her cervix. The Cervidil can be in for up to 12 hours and along with ripening things can also cause contractions, so hoping that Kate will be able to get some sleep. Fortunately, that is something she is really good at. We'll see where the next couple (many) hours take things.

We have a room!

We are checking into Hotel Baby at 7:40 pm!! They are ready for us now, but they figured we'd rather have a fresh staff of nurses and they come on at 7:30. We will be (tentatively) in Room 331 at Group Health in Capitol Hill.

Delayed again

Pushed back again, calling in at noon too see if they have room.
Mucus plug came and went in the meantime so now Kate is racing the induction. :-)

And again, now we're to call at 5pm and see if they have room. The wait for the wait continues.

Later start

Called at 6 to confirm we were on for 7:30 but due to them being busy will be calling back at 9. Which means more sleep and the dogs will get a walk.

Tuesday!

Brett was right in the last post. My blood pressure was high so the doctor decided that it's time to have this baby! We go in Tuesday morning to be induced. The doctor prepared us that it could be 3 or so days before we actually have the baby because I'm 0 cm dilated at this point. Unless things drastically change between now and Tuesday morning it looks like this is going to be a long process. But baby is officially on her way!!

4pm Test underway

Because of the fun on Friday, back in this afternoon for another NST. Conway is active and happy, but mom's BP isn't quite where they want it. Not sure if upping the meds will be next step or if they'll have something else in mind...

What a day

What a day we have had! We had a doctor appointment this morning and my blood pressure was officially high. Sweet. So the doctor came up with a game plan for us to follow.

Game Plan:
1) Start on a low dose of blood pressure medication.
2) Do another 24 hour urine test and blood work to make sure preeclampsia hasn't sprung up.
3) Come back later today and have blood pressure checked.
4) Come back Sunday for a non-stress test and to find out if the meds are working.

That was the game plan. So, what really happened? Well, we started on the meds. They have some kinda goofy side effects like dizziness, jitters, etc and it seems like I am experiencing them all. I decided to stay home from work since I was doing the 24 urine test so at least I didn't have that to contend with on top of the side effects. I also gave blood for my labs.
At around 4:30 we went back to the hospital for the blood pressure check. Still high. So they sent us to labor and delivery to do another non-stress test. Baby is fine as usual and my blood pressure came down to more normal levels. All my blood work was back and it looked fine. The doctor cleared us to leave and now we are home sweet home.

The real reason that this whole afternoon process was jarring for us is that it was the first time we actually had to go to labor and delivery and get work done. As far as we are concerned that is where you enter for the real deal - and leave with a baby. There was the very real possibility we were going to be induced when we walked it there! Crazy!!

Anyway, we are back on the game plan. Keep taking the meds, relax, and head back Sunday to see how things are going!

Guess who's back??

The rash!!! After a 14 week absence from my body, the charming rash has returned. This time it has set up residence on my neck, ears, stomach, left hand, feet and legs. The only really bad spots are my stomach and neck. The other spots I can deal with and ignore. I have some of the topical steroid left from the first time this appeared so I started using that this morning. Hopefully it starts working soon!

The good news is that 1) it's not on my right hand (says the eternal optimist) and 2) in my mind this means some of the hormonal changes that kick-start labor are happening.

It is official

I am officially large and ready to be done. This week we had the hottest temperature Seattle has ever had - 103. It is 93 today. We moved to the Pacific NW to get away from this nonsense heat! Anyway, baby Conway will surely be hearing about how her mama was 8.5 months pregnant on the hottest day ever.

Other than that everything is good. I have been having weekly non-stress tests to make sure baby is ok and that my blood pressure is normal. So far they have all been fine. There is plenty of fluid in my sac, baby is very active and my BP's have been under the line of concern. I have another NST Tuesday and a doctor's appointment on Friday.

We have been passing on the option of having internal exams so far. Our doctor said that we can do them to find out how dilated/effaced I am, but that information isn't really helpful or useful to anyone at this point. I could be 0 cm dilated and 50% effaced and go into labor tonight, or I could be 3 cm dilated and 100% effaced and not go into labor for 2 weeks. Knowing me we opted not to know at this point. If I hear I'm 3 cms I'll be heading to the hospital and thinking about nothing else until baby comes.